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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Talk about a step back into my childhood, this is as close as I am going to get to finger painting. I fell in serious "like" with this line of Christmas fabrics and the idea of painting or stenciling christmas motifs onto fabric. I rediscovered the fun of painting, it was so relaxing to interpret where the shadows should fall and how dark should the inner part of my christmas tree be. Don't get me wrong, sewing is by far my favorite form of relaxation. This stenciling comes a very close second, I was totally lost this past weekend looking for motifs to paint. Back in the early 1980's everyone was into stenciling their walls and around windows, in fact anything that didn't move was fair game. But like all things in life, it is in vogue again.

The wall hanging to the left is from the Terri Degenkolb's book Merry and Bright using her line of fabrics Winterberry Lane. I painted the the branch using Shiva Paintstiks and Freezer Paper. The ornaments were machine appliqued but sadly the order of Ric Rack hadn't arrived so I only had enough for one ornament. The pieced border was fairly easy to do and gives the wall hanging a bit of pizazz.

Don't look too closely at my pine needles, embroidery is not one of my stong skills but I am delighted with it. Now to quilt it and get it ready for hanging.

I also choose one of the stencil patterns from the book, JOY, and stenciled that onto the fabric. This was one of my practice pieces and it was great fun to play with. A totally different look to applique, just think of all the fun projects that you could do with these paints.

There is an upcoming class in this technique, it promises to be a fun day and no sewing machines allowed. The only materials you need to provide are cream background fabrics, a vivid imagination and bring along your christmas patterns or books to use as your Christmas stencil templates (say that ten times fast).We will provide the freezer paper, paints and stencil brushes and as always, participants recieve a 10% discount off any purchases made on the day of the workshop. Bring a packed lunch. Tea, coffee and goodies are complimentary.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

The Autumn is here, and I am anxious to start working on some fun projects for Christmas. The new building is nearing completetion and I think its time to get the classes up and going. I have some fun ideas for Christmas gifts and decorations and of course some gorgeous Christmas fabric has arrived. Also, I will be demonstrating fabric painting/stenciling for those of you who would like to try a new creative outlet.

I will be running two evening groups from mid September until the first week of December, and one morning group.

If you are interested in joining the advanced beginner/intermediate group this fall here are your choices:

Sunday, September 4, 2011

As you can see from the pictures, the current shop is getting a little snug! Christmas fabrics and panels are all in stock now as well as two new lines for the autumn. We are feverishly working on the new shop and classroom here and hope to be in there very shortly.

The new lines that have arrived are Sandy Gervais' Reindeer Games with a panel and Deb Strain's Christmas line called Nature's Gift and that also comes with a panel. I also chose a line of fabric that is not what I would typically purchase for the store but thought I would give it a try and that is Red Rooster's line called Winterberry Lane by Whimsicals. It is a very countryish style and there is a lovely panel in that line as well. What appealed to me was the use of Shiva Paintstiks in the Whimsicals Christmas book that came out with the line of fabric. Let's just say it is a fun and great way to embellish your christmas projects. There will be a workshop this autumn and I will get a photo of the wall hanging that I completed so that you can see what I am jabbering on about.I have received a number of phone calls and emails from people enquiring about the new shop and when we will be open. My answer is hopefully soon, before the end of September. In the mean time please feel free to give me a call if you want to stop by, 087*651*2109 and browse. I am always home and more than delighted to make arrangements for a visit. Please call before travelling to see us, I would hate for you to be disappointed if you showed up and the only ones here are the men in the family. Yikes, you would get a warm welcome but they would be useless in the shop.

I did receive an email from someone (asking about opening hours) but unfortunately I could not respond because your email address is blocked - Hi mel, give me a shout if you want to stop by!

Anywho, have a good week and happy sewing! Check out our class and workshop schedules for upcoming classes!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Grace, no not spiritual Grace although that would be handy, but Grace from Moda.

There are three reds missing from this picture, should be here late next week. This line is part of the Christmas line up for Moda but these fabrics are timeless and could be used year round. The colours are exquisite, beautiful greens and reds and the most lovely cream fabrics with the most delicate small prints. Click on the pictures for a larger view.

We only ordered in a small quantity of this line and I have a funny feeling that it will be gone in no time, in fact I have already set some aside some for moi! I know I know, do I really need it.

There are charm packs available and I have an idea for this fabric using charm packs so stay tuned!

We have two more lines of Moda Christmas Fabrics coming in, Sandy Gervais' Reindeer Games which includes a panel and Deb Strain's Nature's Gift which also includes a gorgeous panel. These two lines are not due to arrive until late July.

A group of gals meet here on Wednesday night and we were discussing ric rack, ribbons and other fun trims that you can use with your quilts, home decor items and bags. We are going to start focusing on providing some of these notions, so I invite you to comment on what you would love to see available, things you just can't lay your hands on!

Next Tuesday/Wednesday we are expecting a shipment of Henry Glass fabric, Buggy Barn Pumpkin Pie to be exact. Keep checking back and if there is anything you fancy pop me an email. We are happy to provide mail order and accept laser, visa and mastercard.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Zippers have to be the most misunderstood and dreaded techniques in sewing. Personally I think making a button hole is a torture of extreme proportions but that is a different story all together! So many of our customers enjoy the bag making process but they have all come to the bridge that must be crossed. Like a rite of passage, one progresses onto more complicated patterns and the bridge that must be crossed is zippers.

I have been reading about Terry Atkinson's fantastic and reasonably priced zippers on many blogs. The quilt shops on the other side of the Atlantic were raving about them so I thought why not over here! The zippers are made by YKK, are 14" long and the best part is they are €1.50. There are 36 colours to choose from and believe me some of the colours are beautiful.

I sell Terry's patterns and as you can see from the first photo that these small bags would be great as a cosmetic bag, sewing kit for all your bits and bobs or a gift for your quilty/crafty friends. My daughter uses them for all her hairbands and assorted treasures.

The beauty of this project is that first you have three sizes - three different dimensions, this is not a one size fits all. Secondly, these bags use up scraps, the pieces are essentially leftover strips. I made the first bag following the directions religiously and after making several I started using up some of the bigger pieces I had and created a number of different looks.

Monday, June 13, 2011

First, welcome to Kilbora Quilt Shoppe, an oasis of tranquility in Co. Wexford. Kilbora is Wexford's only patchwork shop and we are entering our third year in business. We carry a wide range of fabrics; Moda, Henry Glass, Lakehouse, and Thimbleberries to name a few. I am going to attempt to keep everyone up to date on all the fabrics we have available and if you are unable to make it over to us then by all means you can certainly contact me by phone or email and we will be delighted to ship out what you need.

It is never to early to start planning your Christmas projects. The first of our Christmas fabrics arrived this morning, yipee!! We have from Moda, Kansas Troubles "Warm Memories" on the shelves. Also available are Moda "Warm Memories" charm packs.

The pictures aren't the greatest but then again we are doing this on a tight budget... For those of you that are unfamiliar with Kilbora Quilt Shoppe, we are in the process of building a new shop and classroom space here on our farm. Keep your fingers crossed that we are ready by October. I have been turning people away for classes simply because I don't have the room and there are only so many hours in the day. So, excuse the pictures I have been saving my money for blocks and mortar rather than a new camera!

If you are familiar with Kansas Troubles Fabrics then you know that all the new fabrics will work with fabrics from older lines. Timeless and traditional! Click on the photos and you will see an enlarged photo.

The third photo is from top to bottom; Large Green floral 9320 13, Green snowflake 9324 13, Brown leaves 9323 16.

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About Me

An American living, quilting and raising three gorgeous children in Co. Wexford Ireland. My DH and I are fortunate to be living on a beautiful sheep farm, running a B&B and operating a quilt shop, all the while keeping our sense of humor!